For many, the kitchen is the focal point of a home. It is an area where not only do - hopefully - fantastic meals appear from, but it can also be a gathering space.
With the right layout and enough room, it can be the one area where a family can meet and share the day’s news and good food. At parties, a kitchen is always the hub for gossip and great conversation. In the mornings, it provides fresh coffee and juice to get the day started.
Of course, to make many of these things happen, there have to be a number of appliances and gadgets at hand. Juice doesn’t appear from fresh air, and meals don’t cook themselves.
The worldwide kitchen appliance sector is expected to reach $377 billion by 2027. This was according to one report by Allied Market Research from 2020. Some of the appliances sold are standard options that most people have, but there are some other ones that you might not have considered.

What are the 7 must-haves for your dream kitchen?

The obvious appliances are going to be omitted from this list. It is clear that for most people a washing machine and a fridge are must-haves for the kitchen.
There are some incredible smart fridges on the market now, and perhaps they deserve their place on this list. However, the seven must-have appliances here are ones that make the average daily life, and diet, better.
Some of these appliances can make mealtimes go smoother, improve diets, and are better for the environment than other kitchen tools.
Here are seven appliances that may make you enjoy your cooking and food preparation more, and some may say that they are essential.

The air fryer

There is little to say about the air fryer that hasn’t been said already. However, if you are new to the concept of this appliance, here is a brief explanation.
The air fryer is a gift to anyone who likes fried food but is worried about what damage it does to their health. Air fryers cook using highly heated air that is circulated inside the appliance by a fan. The food tends to look and taste as if it is fried but it uses no oil

Why is an air-fryer a must-have?

There are many options on the market and the Power XL Air Fryer is big enough to satisfy a family of four. But no matter what air fryer you choose, you will get the following advantages.
Air fryers use no oil so you will produce less waste. They also cook very efficiently, so no oil and less energy are good for the environment.
No cooking oil also means that you will be taking in fewer calories and fat.

A blender

Perhaps this doesn’t seem the most exciting of appliances, but there are many grounds for why you should contemplate getting one for your kitchen.
Blenders can make short work of sauces, smoothies, and frozen drinks. If you like hosting parties then blenders make great alcoholic frozen drinks.

Why is a blender a must-have?

A blender can help to keep a diet interesting by producing tasty fruit smoothies. They are ideal for using up fruit so there is less waste, and there will be no need to purchase ready-made options from the store. Therefore, there will be less packaging waste as well.

Multi-cooker

When you are trying to understand how to make any diet really work for you, one of the keys is to find interesting recipes. Especially ones that are healthy and easy to prepare.
Fortunately, one cooking appliance makes all of this possible. One of the more popular sorts of multi-cooker is the Instant Pot. This was something of a phenomenon when it was launched, and continues to sell millions today.
The Instant Pot can speed up the cooking process through the use of pressure and steam. It also uses no or little oil like the air fryer so it is a healthy cooking option.

Why is the multi-cooker a must-have?

Firstly, it can slow cook or pressure cook. Therefore, it can be cooking away while you are at work all day, or it can be used to create something quickly in the evening.
It can reduce cooking times and is said to be very energy efficient. It is also said that the Instant Pot can cook up to six times quicker than regular stovetop cooking. It is ideal for broths and soups, but can also cook a range of other items such as bread, cakes, rice, and even whole roasted chicken.

Sandwich toaster

This small appliance was a hit from the moment Breville launched it. It is unlikely to make your diet healthier but it is ideal for snack time or making a quick lunch.
Sandwiches made in a Breville very often contain cheese to keep it all together. Many people like to spread butter on the outside too as this helps it to turn golden and not stick to the toaster. Due to this, it can’t be claimed that a sandwich toaster will help your diet, but the end products can be very tasty.

Why is the sandwich toaster a must-have?

For sheer ease at making a hot snack, they are hard to beat. They can elevate a dull cold sandwich into a great gooey, cheesy toastie.

Food processor

In much the same way that a blender can make life easier in the kitchen, so can a food processor. These appliances are far more versatile than your average blender though.
They take the most mundane tasks of food preparation and make them simpler. From chopping to dicing to mincing meat. A food processor can do it all. Some kitchen appliances can improve everyday life.

Why is a food processor a must-have?

If you love to cook but sometimes dread the preparation, or get stuck for food ideas, then a blender can help. It takes away much of the work behind preparing meals and makes tasks possible that normally wouldn’t.
It could also lead to a healthier diet. For instance, if you buy meatballs from a store you don’t really know what has gone into them. If you mince your own meat in a blender then you know exactly what you are putting on the dinner plate.

Electric steamer

Steaming food helps to retain more nutrients than other cooking processes do. This is especially true of boiling for instance where vitamins and minerals can leach into the water.
A multi-level electric steamer can make mealtimes for you and the family much healthier. The texture of steamed food is also preferable to that when boiled.

Why is the steamer a must-have?

The truth is you could simply buy some bamboo steamer baskets, but the electric steamer has some extra advantages.
When you steam on the hob you will lose a lot of energy as steam escapes. You will need to put non-stick paper in bamboo steamers which means that you will be creating waste too unless you have a supply of banana leaves lying around.

Coffee grinder

Who doesn’t like the smell of fresh coffee in the morning? The problem with making coffee at home though has often been the waste involved.
Coffee machines that rely on one-use pots produce a lot of waste plastic. According to the EPA, 146 million tonnes of waste went to landfills in 2018 in the US.

Why is a coffee grinder a must-have?

Coffee made at home this way reduces waste that can be made by other coffee makers. Your coffee will be fresh, and the grounds can be used in compost or the garden.
Choosing a brand such as Baratza also means that you won’t need to replace your grinder very often. This company sells replacement parts for all their products so you won’t need to throw the grinder out if it breaks down.

Summary

There are some amazing gadgets and appliances for the kitchen now on the market. These seven are all very useful and practical options for anyone’s kitchen.
Some such as the air fryer can help to improve an individual’s diet, while others are good at reducing waste, such as a coffee grinder. Some though, such as the sandwich toaster, just make wonderful tasting snacks.

WRITTEN BY

Brand Voices